A Thematic Review of the Spirituality Literature within Palliative Care

Abstract

Research related to spirituality and health has developed from relative obscurity to a thriving field of study over the last 20 years both within palliative care and within health care in general. This paper provides a descriptive review of the literature related to spirituality and health, with a special focus on spirituality within palliative and end-of-life care. CINAHL and MEDLINE were searched under the keywords "spirituality" and "palliative." The review revealed five overarching themes in the general spirituality and health literature: (1) conceptual difficulties related to the term spirituality and proposed solutions; (2) the relationship between spirituality and religion; (3) the effects of spirituality on health; (4) the subjects enrolled in spirituality-related research; and (5) the provision of spiritual care. While the spirituality literature within palliative care shared these overarching characteristics of the broader spirituality and health literature, six specific thematic areas transpired: (1) general discussions of spirituality in palliative care; (2) the spiritual needs of palliative care patients; (3) the nature of hope in palliative care; (4) tools and therapies related to spirituality; (5) effects of religion in palliative care; and (6) spirituality and palliative care professionals. The literature as it relates to these themes is summarized in this review. Spirituality is emerging largely as a concept void of religion, an instrument to be utilized in improving or maintaining health and quality of life, and focussed predominantly on the "self" largely in the form of the patient. While representing an important beginning, the authors suggest that a more integral approach needs to be developed that elicits the experiential nature of spirituality that is shared by patients, family members, and health care professionals alike.

Spirituality in general practice: a qualitative evidence synthesis

“…1 Research into spirituality and health has developed into a thriving field over the last 20 years, as is evident from the more than 5000 citations that appear when the MeSH term 'spirituality' is entered in CINAHL or MEDLINE. 2 It is now common to see attention to spirituality cited as an ethical obligation of professional care. 3,4 The professional literature in medicine, 5,6 nursing, 7,8 psychology, 9 and social work 10 affirms this obligation.…”

Impact of death and dying on the personal lives and practices of palliative and hospice care professionals

“…[1][2][3][4][5] A small number of studies discussed the residual impact of end-of-life care within a localized group of health care providers; however, there is limited cross-sectional research explicitly investigating the long-term effect of death and dying on the personal and professional lives of individuals who are exposed to death and dying on a frequent basis. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] To address these gaps in the literature, this study explored the impact of death and dying on the lives of key leaders and frontline professionals in palliative and hospice care -individuals who arguably provide society and health care practitioners with the most authoritative discourse on end of life and its effect on life in general.…”

Spirituality and its Relevance in Assistance to Patients under Palliative Care According to Experts

“…On the other hand, we found reports that emphasize the importance of a multi-professional staff and the need to take care of physical, mental, spiritual and social suffering of each individual separately. 25 Subsequently, was asked about the comprehension of the concept of spirituality in Palliative Care, 18 we got answers as such:…”